The world food situation: New driving forces and required actions

This article analyses recent trends and emerging challenges in the world food situation. The objective is to provide policymakers with the necessary information to mobilise adequate responses at the local, national, regional, and international levels. Joachim von Braun, Director General of IFPRI, calls for a renewed global attention to the role of agriculture and food in development policy. Five key actions are proposed:

• elimination of trade barriers
• increase in investment in rural infrastructure and market institutions as well as in agricultural science and technology
• social-protection measures
• integration of agricultural and food issues onto the national and international policy agendas.

 J.V. Braun, IFPRI - December 2007